Match-box.



Patentad not. 30,1900.

B. VUM EIGEN.

MATCH BOX.

(Application filed July 21, 1900.)

BENM ERGEN (No Model.)

UNITED "STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

BENNO VOM EIGEN, OF NEWARK, NEW J ERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AUG. GOERTZ (600., OF SAME PLACE.

" MATCH-BOX.

srnorrrcn'rroiir formingpart of Letters Patent No. 660,848, dated October so, 19cc. Application filed July 21,1900. Serial No. 24,407. (No model.)

it appertains to make and use the same, ref-' erence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

I 5 This invention relates to improvements in boxes or receptacles for matches or other ar-' ticles; and the invention has for its principal objects to provide a neat and simply-constructed box for the reception of matches or 20 other articles which can be easily manipuquantity of matches and the cover-sections of which are provided with an opening for the presentation of a portion of the match or other artiole.within the box and for the removal of the same without necessitating the opening of the cover-sections or lids.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel construction of match-box from 0 which the matches can be removed as required without any danger of igniting the head of the match due to undue friction.

Other objects Will be made more clear in the following description of the various parts 5 of the device.

The invention therefore consists in the,

novel match-box hereinafter set forth and also in the several novel arrangements and combinations of the parts thereof, all of 40 which will be fully set forth in the detailed description of the same and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim,which form a part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a match-box embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same and Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the match-box, taken on 'line 3 3 in said Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow 00. Fig. 4 is a perspective illustrating the arrangement of a twisted spring rod or bar for causing the normallyclosed relation of the cover-sections.

Fig. 6 is a detail View of one of the hinged portions of the twocover-sections, illustrating one manner of securing the ends of the twisted spring bar or rod in position to prevent its :untwisting; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the rod or bar before it is arranged in its twisted manner in the pivotal lug'sor ears of the cover-sections.

Similar numerals of reference are employed in all of the said above-described views to indicate corresponding parts. lated to permit of the placing therein of a i In the said drawings, 1 indicates the complete box, case, or receptacle, which is made vof sheet metal or any other suitable material.

The said box consists, essentially, of a pair of'lids orcover-sections 2 and 3, each of Which,- as will be seen from the several figures of the drawings, is formed with the side pieces 4:, so as to provide a pair of half-oval or D-shaped sections, and thereby producing a box having 4 and the said sections 2 and '3 are pivotally connected by means of a bar or rod 8, pref- "erablymade of flat spring metal, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 7, said rod being 0 suitably twisted,as illustrated in Fig.5,whereby when the two sections, 2 and 3'are opened by the operator, as indicated in Fig. 4, and

then released the torsional strain on said rod or bar 8 will cause'the edges 9 of the two sections 2 and 3 to be brought together in closing engagement, as represented more partic ularly in Fig. 3, and thereby the box or receptacle is normally closed by the action of said spring bar or rod. As illustrated, each sec- I00 tion 2 and 3 is also provided with a cut-away portion 10, forming a suitable opening when the cover-sections are closed, through which a portion of the match or matches is exposed to view and can be grasped between the thumb and forefinger forits removal from the matchbox between the contiguous edges 9 of the sections 2 and 3 without first opening the said sections in the manner of an ordinary lid or cover to a match-box, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of the drawings. Furthermore, in order that the head of the match may not be ignited during the withdrawal of the match the edges 9 are preferably turned over and bent inwardly and then tightly closed down,as at 11,whereby a smooth surface to each section 2 and 3 of the box is provided, and the friction-head of the match can be safely passed over the parts 11 without the least danger of lighting by means of frictional or scratching contact therewith. The ends of the spring bar or rod 8 are suitably secnred in the end lugs or ears of the respective sections 2 and 3 by closing said ears tightly against the flat portions or sides of the bar or rod 8, thereby preventing its becoming nntwisted. Sometimes an extra smaller fiat piece 12 may be employed in addition to the end portions of the rod or bar 8 to prevent untwisting of the said rod or bar8; but of course it will be understood that any other suitable means may be employed for arranging the ends of the bar or rod 8 in the end ears or lugs in such a manner that When the cover-sections 2 and 3 are opened an additional twist will be produced in the bar to cause the sections to be positively retained in their closed relation to each other unless forced open by the operator when it is desired to place a fresh supply of matches in the receiving portions or depressions 5 of the box.

The end pieces 4 of one of the cover-sections 2 or 3-in the present case the cover-section 3-have secured thereto by means of pins or rivets 13 or in any other suitable manner suitably-ornamented section-plates 14, which are preferably made V shape, so as to conform to the general configuration of the closed ends of the two sections 2 and 3 to hide the joint 15 of the two sections. The said plates 14 may also be provided with serrations 16 or other suitable rough scratching-surface, against which the head of the match can be rubbed for igniting the same. The said section-plates 14, however, may be entirely dispensed with, if desired; but their use is preferred, as they greatly enhance the general appearance of the box and add to the utility ing the cover-sections farther than thethickness of a match. As soon as the match has thus been withdrawn the cover-sections are again automatically closed.

From the above description it will be seen that I have devised a simple and operative device to be used for the reception of matches or other articles, which can then be removed therefrom without any undue manipulation of the cover-sections.

I am fully aware that some changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of the parts, as Well as in the details of construction thereof, without departing from the scope of my invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the parts as herein described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the several parts, as these may be variously modified.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A box or case for matches, c. ,consisting, essentially, of a pair of hinged sections, having their sides and front edges arranged contiguous to each other to produce aclosed box or receptacle, and provided with an opening in said front edges for the presentation of a portion of the match or other article in the box, means connected with said sections for retaining them in theirnormally-closed relation, but permitting the withdrawal of the match or other article, and section-plates 14 arranged over the abutting end portions or sides of said pair of sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. Abox orcase for matches,&c.,consisting, essentially, of a pair of hinged and spring-actuated sections, having their sides and front edges arranged contiguous to each other to produce a closed box or receptacle, and provided with an opening in said front edges for the presentation of a portion of the match or other article in the box, and sectionplates 14 arranged over the abutting end portions or sides of said pair of sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. Aboxorcaseformatches,&c.,consisting, essentially, of a pair of sections, perforated ears or lugs connected with said sections, and a torsional spring bar or rod in the ears or lugs of the sections, arranged to normally close the said sections, but permit them to be opened, and section-plates 14 arranged over the ab'uttin g end portions or sides of said pair of sections, substantially as and for the pur poses set fort-h.

4. A box or case for matches, &c. ,consisting, essentially, of a pair of sections, having their sides and front edges arranged contiguous to each other to produce a closed box or receptacle, perforated ears or lugs connected with said sections, a torsional spring bar or rod in the ears or lugs of the said sections, arranged to normally close the said sections, but perinit them to be opened, said sections being In testimony that I claim the invention set provided in said front edges withan opening forth above I have hereunto set my hand this for the presentation of a portion of the match 18th day of July, 1900.

or other article in the box, and section-plates BEN N0 VOM EIGEN. 14 arranged over the abutting end portions Witnesses:

or sides of said pair of sections, substantially FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL,

as and for thepurposes set forth. v G. TROXLER, Jr, 

